Zimbabwe's Mugabe, Tsvangirai agree on new constitution

Source: Reuters

By Nelson Banya
HARARE | Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:47pm EST

(Reuters) - Zimbabwean leaders Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai said on Thursday they had resolved disputes over a proposed new constitution and would soon call a referendum on the charter, a key step before elections due this year.

Mugabe - president since independence in 1980 - and Prime Minister Tsvangirai are bitter rivals but formed a coalition government after disputed elections in 2008, with the tabling of a new constitution a top priority before fresh elections.

The new constitution had looked in doubt last year when Mugabe's ZANU-PF party tried to overhaul curbs on presidential powers and a strengthening of parliament. The draft also proposes devolving power to provincial councils.

The coalition leaders met for nearly four hours at Mugabe's official residence to clear hurdles on the path to a new charter.